PRESS RELEASE

PULLMAN – Seven Pullman Police Officers, a Police Records Specialist, and a citizen were presented with awards at the Pullman Police Advisory Committee meeting on January 13, 2014.

Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston presented Officer Wade Winegardner with the Fire Department’s Distinguished Service Medal for his excellent police work leading to the identification of the arsonist responsible for the Grove Apartments fire in July 2013. Officer Winegardner is an 8 year law enforcement veteran. Pullman Police Officer Chris Engle previously received the Fire Department’s Unit Medal of Valor for his contributions to the crime scene investigation.

American Legion Maynard-Price Post #52 Commander Doug Salmon presented the American Legion “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” award for 2013 to Sergeant Dan Hargraves for his leadership as the Pullman Police Department’s Detective Bureau supervisor. Sergeant Hargraves is a 15 year law enforcement veteran.

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins presented the following awards:

An Official Commendation was presented to Officer Chris Engle, a 6 ½ year veteran. In January 2013, Officer Engle took over CPR from citizens of an adult male not breathing. The patient ultimately survived due in large part to Officer Engle’s actions.

An Official Commendation was presented to Records Specialist Emily Brashear, a 4 ½ year veteran. In January 2013, Emily observed that an arrestee in one of the jail cells had removed his shirt and placed it around his neck. Brashear immediately notified patrol officers who responded and handled the situation. Brashear’s actions likely prevented a suicide.

The Lifesaving Award was presented to Sergeant Dan Dornes, a 24 ½ year veteran. Sergeant Dornes was first to arrive at a medical aid call in May, 2013, and immediately performed CPR to a female adult not breathing and with no pulse. The patient survived due in large part to the lifesaving actions of Sergeant Dornes.

The Badge of Courage was presented to Officers Ryan McNannay and Ruben Harris; 5 ½ & 15 year veterans, respectively. In February 2011, Officers McNannay and Harris were dispatched to a hit and run collision. Officer McNannay was first to arrive and gave chase to a fleeing 22-year-old male suspect who was on foot. When Officer McNannay caught up to the suspect and attempted to detain him, the suspect cut Officer McNannay with a knife and a screwdriver. When Officer Harris arrived both officers were able to take the suspect into custody without further injury.

The Distinguished Service award was presented to Commander Chris Tennant, a 31 ½ year veteran. Commander Tennant received the award for his exceptional leadership within the Police Department. The outstanding quality of the Pullman Police Department is significantly influenced by Commander Tennant’s leadership.

The Outstanding Citizen award was presented to Alissa Miller. In November 2013, a Pullman resident was the victim of a home invasion robbery perpetrated by two suspects armed with a handgun. Alissa Miller is a friend of the victim and became aware of the crime and suspect descriptions. Less than two hours after the robbery, Ms. Miller observed possible suspects at the Pullman Walmart and also obtained information to determine the subjects were using the victim’s stolen credit card. The Pullman Police were immediately notified and responding officers ultimately arrested two suspects on suspicion of First Degree Robbery and First Degree Burglary, both Class A felonies. Formal charges have been filed and prosecution is pending. Investigators are also looking into the possibility that these suspects may be part of a burglary ring which has committed residential burglaries and a robbery in Pullman, and likely other areas. The actions of Alissa Miller not only led to the identification and arrest of the suspects responsible for committing this serious crime, but her actions have likely prevented an unknown number of other similar crimes and saved other Pullman residents from being victimized.